*Official* Third Test at the WACA

[joels344]

Boxing day is not that far way. I'm ready for the next Test.

 

[Rant0r]

Impressive effort today and so happy I get to see a live Ashes Test. I'm sure the crowd will break all records next week.

We still have a lot of problems, especially in the batting department. The poms would have a fair idea of MCG conditions as well now, after playing there a week ago, so we might be set for some long days there especially if it's a typical MCG shocker of a pitch. Why can't we play every match in Perth?

Yeah, ready for a nice slow pudding of a pitch in Melbourne.

DOn't let Bill Lawry hear that, Melbourne is the mecca for everything wonderful (allegedly) and the curator is doing a wonderful job with those dump in "pitches".

 

[Jacknife]

Even as a England fan I hope the MCG won't be as poor as what it was the other day.

 

[Rant0r]

Even as a England fan I hope the MCG won't be as poor as what it was the other day.

Agreed, not that I actually seen the pitch, but looking at the scorecard and from reports is was a bit of a road. Surely you would prepare a greentop for a tour game to put some doubt in their batsman's minds :P

 

[vic_orthdox]

Agreed, not that I actually seen the pitch, but looking at the scorecard and from reports is was a bit of a road. Surely you would prepare a greentop for a tour game to put some doubt in their batsman's minds :P

All reports was that it was just super slow, very tough to get wickets on but also very tough to score, made for horrible cricket.

To be fair, I really don't think that the curator does a bad job considering that they have to work with drop-ins. And it's not like the 'G has ever been known to be a quick bouncy track.

 

[Rant0r]

All reports was that it was just super slow, very tough to get wickets on but also very tough to score, made for horrible cricket.

To be fair, I really don't think that the curator does a bad job considering that they have to work with drop-ins. And it's not like the 'G has ever been known to be a quick bouncy track.

To be honest "The G" has never produced really quality pitches, drop in or not. To be fair though, they produce results, but only due to rapid deterioration and the quality of the Australian bowlers.

 

[Faisal1985]

This is probably the sweetest victory for Australia tbh. After such a long time of absolute thrashing they prevailed....what a game and most of all ..there is everything to play for in the 4th test....

Good to see MJ turning the series on its head..

 

[stephen]

Johnson WAG. It's easy to forget just how powerful his impact on the game can be until he wins you a test.

Hussey is in brilliant form at the moment. He just loves thrashing Poms.

I have to say that I absolutely love the WACA wicket. It was just a brilliant pitch. It had enough in it for the bowlers without being a minefield. Love it. I wish we could play all our tests on pitches of this quality.

1-1 into the Boxing Day test is going to make it a cracker of a game.

 

[Rant0r]

England made it look like a minefield, lol, actually even Australia did at times. Makes a refreshing change from the roads that have been dished up at the WACA in recent years

 

[TumTum]

WACA pitch 2 years ago and maybe even last year were quite crap tbh.

And despite what you all say about the drop in pitches of MCG and SCG, I reckon they always have provided something for the bowlers and do not change from season to season like the pitches of the first 3 Tests. You know what you are going to get, and it certainly wont be a road.

 

[Rant0r]

Sure thing, they don't change from year to year, they're slow, low and deteriorate rapidly every year

Actually to be fair I reckon the SCG pitch for the Pakistan game was a ripper

 

[vic_orthdox]

SCG is generally a very good result wicket, bit in it early. A bit more than normal last year, though!

 

[TumTum]

Yeah I think they over done it last year.

 

[Rant0r]

No way

 

[honestbharani]

Awesome performance by Australia.. But TBF, I did expect it. Australia are nothing if not resilient... And they showed it again. That said, still think England will come back even harder the next time..


What's up with all the sledging? Was it MJ giving back to England after they dished out to him or what?

 

[BoyBrumby]

Mildly disappointing effort from the chaps today. First pitch with some life in it and we display all the backbone of a Portuguese Man O' War.

Is there any chance of an MCG pitch that's sporty? Clearly roads suit our skillset better.

4/5 seamers for Oz at Melbourne looks one too many too, I'd suggest. If I were a selector I'd be looking at a specialist. If Punter's broken it might open the door for Hauritz again.

As for ourselves, Finn for Shahzad is my call. Finn will play a lot of tests for England, but with Tremmers in the side we have what he brings to the table covered.

 

[TumTum]

No way

Well we talk about the balance between bat and ball, but bowlers being able to produce unplayable deliveries tips the scales because batsman have no chance to keep them out, irrespective of how good they are. That Asif ball to Clarke an example, swinging out and then seaming in, good luck.

You have places like this Test match where the ball does move outside off-stump, but you can leave them. As a batsman if you are good enough you can survive. That is a good balance imo.

And just because most pitches around the world favor the bat, we shouldn't be creating bowling paradises to try and counter act that balance.

 

[Spark]

Oooh yeah I remember that ball. He produced a similar one at Headingley - I had him pencilled in for a hundred that day, he was playing so well - but as you say, when you get a ball like that, you just have to hope someone drops a catch.

When there's life in the pitch you have to take every run you can get because against good bowling there'll be one that has your number on it and there's jackall that you can do about it.

 

[TumTum]

Oooh yeah I remember that ball. Had him pencilled in for a hundred that day, he was playing so well - but as you say, when you get a ball like that, you just have to hope someone drops a catch.

It castled him though...

 

[Spark]

It castled him though...

Headingley. That one came in and seamed away. Equally unplayable. See the edit, my brain went in front of my fingers.

I agree profusely with your point that a pitch like this with an even balance between bat and ball is perfect though.